• Adam Oates says he could beat up John Tortorella. Maybe he should talk to Kevin Lowe about borrowing a barn.

• Alex Ovechkin played yesterday's Russia-US contest at the World Championships -- and the last two games of the playoffs -- with a fractured foot. Say what you want about the guy's ability to deliver in big games, but you sure can't question his courage.

• The injury suffered by Eric Staal at the worlds on Thursday has Carolina fans looking to cast blame. Still no word yet on how seriously he was hurt after the knee-on-knee hit from Alex Edler, but it can't hurt as much as that shootout loss to the Swedes.